As some Vermont hospitals trim services, staff and community members urge Copley to keep birthing center open
Lamoille County practitioners and community members are pushing Copley Hospital to keep its birthing center open, reflecting anxiety about the state of community hospitals in the wake of a sobering health care report.
Faced with financial headwinds, some hospitals and medical facilities across the state have already begun to halt procedures and cut staff. At Copley, many fear that the
Morrisville hospital’s birthing unit could be next.
“While the financial crisis facing Vermont hospitals is real, eliminating this essential service would be a betrayal of Copley’s mission to promote the wellness of our community,” reads an undated open letter, signed by more than 60 midwives, doctors, nurses and community members, that was provided to VTDigger last week.
Copley providers believe the hospital’s leadership is considering closing the birthing center, according to the letter. But in interviews, two signatories declined or were unable to provide details about the reason for that belief.
VTDigger has not been able to confirm that Copley is considering shutting the birthing center. Wayne Stockbridge, Copley’s chief administrative officer, said in an interview that the hospital’s leadership has not “to my knowledge” proposed closing the unit.